Senior Director, Site Lead

Job Description:

Saab, Inc., a global aerospace and defense solutions leader, seeks a visionary and results-driven Senior Director, Site Lead for our new Land Systems Manufacturing Facility. The individual must be based at our Grayling, Michigan location (preferred) or, in the near future, at our planned location in the Detroit, Michigan area. This position is eligible for Saab, Inc.’s relocation package.

As Saab, Inc. expands its production operations, the role of Site Lead will be pivotal in establishing capacity to meet current and future production demands. This role will manage a large project budget and lead a cross-functional team in the successful development and execution of a newly established domestic U.S. munitions plant. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in generating and managing a comprehensive strategy for all phases of site development, from planning and construction through site qualification and start up.

The Site Lead will report directly to the Vice President and General Manager of Land Systems and be entrusted with the comprehensive capability development project, long-term site operations, and growth management. The Site Lead will also work in close partnership with senior operations leaders. The ideal candidate has significant experience across program management, strategic sourcing, and operations. The candidate also will need to demonstrate strong leadership skills, the ability to manage risks and opportunities, and experience building and leading highly motivated management teams.

The individual in this role will operate within a matrixed organizational structure, leading a combination of direct and predominantly indirect (dotted-line) reports. As the site grows significantly over the coming years, this leader will be responsible for guiding, influencing, and developing a cross-functional team in close collaboration with functional leaders whose teams are based at the site. The Site Lead will be instrumental in fostering a culture of ethical behavior, operational excellence, safety, and adherence to high manufacturing quality standards. Additionally, they will establish and maintain strong relationships with key government and customer stakeholders at the federal, state, and local levels.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Lead the new facility's planning and design, ensuring it meets all operational requirements.

• Oversee the construction phase to ensure timely and cost-effective completion.

• Establish and maintain positive relationships with key government and customer stakeholders on the federal, state, and local levels

• Secure external funding to support key elements of the manufacturing ramp up.

• Oversee recruiting and training inline with current and future needs.

• Ensure alignment and compliance with contractual, regulatory, and customer expectations.

• Manage the production site's day-to-day operations, ensuring that production targets, quality standards, and delivery schedules are met.

• Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Manage the facility’s budget, including capital investment, operational expenses, and financial controls, and ensure the plant achieves financial targets.

• Ensure the facility complies with all relevant safety and regulatory requirements. Implement policies and procedures to maintain a safe working environment.

• Implement the Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) and Sales and Operations Execution (S&OE) frameworks to align the facility's strategic goals, operational plans, and execution.

• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration and communication among sales, operations, finance, and supply chain teams to ensure optimal performance and customer satisfaction.

• Work closely with customers to understand their needs and ensure the facility delivers products that meet their specifications and satisfaction.

• Develop and enforce Environmental Health and Safety policies to ensure the well-being of employees and the sustainability of the facility’s operations.

• Encourage innovation in manufacturing processes and product development to keep Saab, Inc. at the forefront of the defense industry.

• Lead the implementation of advanced manufacturing concepts, such as intelligent manufacturing, digitalization, and human-machine teaming

Compensation Range: $239,600 - $323,400

The compensation range provided is a general guideline. When extending an offer, Saab, Inc. considers factors including (but not limited to) the role and associated responsibilities, location, and market and business considerations, as well as the candidate's work experience, key skills, and education/trai